Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is presenting the Union Budget in the Parliament now. So far his announcements are all about positivity and empowerment of all people.
The FM announced that the Ujjwala Scheme which gave poor and rural women access to LPG connection, saving them from the hazardous fumes of traditional fuel burning will be getting a big boost. From the previous target of providing LPG connections to 5 crores, The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna will now reach to 8 crore women.
Under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojna popularly known as Soubhagya Scheme, The FM has announced that the government has now allocated Rs 16,000 crores to provide free electricity connections to poor households.
Government has allocated Rs 16000 crore for Saubhagya scheme : FM @arunjaitley | #BLBudget2018 #BLBudget @FinMinIndia
— Business Line (@businessline) February 1, 2018
Speaking of difficulties faced by poor families due to lack of electricity, Mr Jaitly said the new financial boost to the Saubhagya Scheme will brighten lives of millions of people.
The FM also emphasized the need for quality education to marginalised and backward population groups. In a significant move, he announced that by 2022, each block with more than 50% sc/st population will have an Ekalavya Vidyalaya at par with the Navodaya Vidyalayas.
By 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal people will have ‘Ekalavya’ school at par with Navodaya Vidayalas.#Budget2018
— Sriram (@srirambjp) February 1, 2018
Under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojna, the ambitious plan to provide housing for all, the Government will be adding 1 crore new houses to the poor, the FM declared to loud applause in the Parliament.
#Budget2018 gift-wrapped for the poor and the farmers! UJJWALA scheme to make India shine, one crore houses for the poor in 2 years under PM @narendramodi‘s housing scheme.
Listen in to @arunjaitley present #Budget2018 live at https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL.#ModiNomics18 pic.twitter.com/StdYYjSP3E— India Today (@IndiaToday) February 1, 2018
Govt to substantially increase allocation under national livelihood mission to Rs 5,750 cr in next fiscal; focus will be on providing maximum livelihood projects in rural areas: FM Arun Jaitley. #Budget2018
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 1, 2018
The FM mentioned that the improvement of infrastructure at the rural level will boost the rural economy as it will provide better connectivity and better availability of services to the rural population.
#Budget2018 – For creation of livelihood in rural areas, total amount to be spent by ministries will be Rs 14.34 lakh crores: Finance Minister @arunjaitley pic.twitter.com/03T8m7LG4y
— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 1, 2018
The Union Budget 2018 is being hailed as one of the most people-centric budgets ever. The government seems to be leaving no stones unturned in its commitment to the poor and common people of the country.